We are proud to say that the joint venture between Portage Health and LifePoint has been finalized. Below you with find a history of the process. If you have any questions about the joint venture, feel free to contact us through our online contact us form. Please follow us on Twitter (@PortageHealth) and Facebook (Facebook.com/PortageHealth).

December 2, 2013 - Press Release

Portage Health and LifePoint Hospitals form joint venture

Final partnership will enhance healthcare delivery and bring $60 million in capital improvements to Upper Peninsula hospital

Hancock, Michigan (December 2, 2013) – The Portage Health Board of Directors and LifePoint Hospitals® (NASDAQ: LPNT) have finalized their joint venture agreement to share ownership and operation of Portage Health. The joint venture will bring $60 million in capital improvements to Portage Health and approximately $40 million to fund a charitable foundation to support critical needs in the community.

“We are pleased to finalize this joint venture and become part of LifePoint,” said Steve Zutter, chairman of the Portage Health board. “As we considered Portage Health’s future, our board vetted a number of strategic partner options. This joint venture with LifePoint offered us a unique opportunity to share ownership of Portage Health and gain access to significant resources to grow and expand our services. We are excited for the future.”

As part of the final joint venture agreement, LifePoint and Portage Health will jointly own and operate Portage Health. LifePoint will own 80 percent of the joint venture and Portage Health will have a 20 percent ownership stake. Governance will be equally shared, and an eight-member board with equal representation from Portage Health and LifePoint will be established to ensure that the community has an active voice in Portage Health’s future.

“Portage Health plays an important role in healthcare in the Upper Peninsula, and LifePoint is delighted to be its partner,” said LifePoint Chairman and Chief Executive Officer William F. Carpenter III. “We look forward to working with Portage Health’s leadership, physicians, employees and volunteers as we continue to find new ways to enhance healthcare delivery in Hancock-Houghton and throughout the Copper Country region.”

Over the next decade, the joint venture will invest $60 million in capital improvements at Portage Health, including significant investments in technology and equipment and improved facilities. The proceeds from the transaction and retained assets from Portage Health, approximately $40 million, will be used to support the retained businesses of Portage Health and create a locally governed charitable foundation. Also, Portage Health will become a local taxpaying organization, which will bring additional revenue to Hancock and help support local projects.

“Our team is excited to partner with LifePoint to strengthen Portage Health for the future,” said Jim Bogan, Portage Health president and CEO. “As part of the LifePoint system, we have great opportunity to make Portage Health an even better place to come for care, practice medicine and work. Together, we can transform healthcare across the Upper Peninsula.”

The joint venture agreement was reviewed and approved by the Attorney General of Michigan, Bill Schuette.

About Portage Health

Portage Health’s mission is to improve the health of the community by providing high quality, safe and compassionate healthcare. Portage Health owns and operates a 36-bed acute-care hospital and a 60-bed skilled nursing unit and related healthcare services in Hancock-Houghton, Michigan, along with nine other locations throughout the Copper Country, each offering a variety of services provided by a full spectrum of healthcare professionals. More information about Portage Health can be found at www.portagehealth.org.

About LifePoint Hospitals

LifePoint Hospitals® is a leading hospital company focused on providing quality healthcare services close to home. Through its subsidiaries, LifePoint operates 60 hospital campuses in 20 states. With a mission of “Making Communities Healthier®,” LifePoint is the sole community hospital provider in the majority of the communities it serves. More information about the Company, which is headquartered in Brentwood, Tennessee, can be found on its website, www.LifePointHospitals.com. All references to “LifePoint,” "LifePoint Hospitals," or the “Company” used in this release refer to LifePoint Hospitals, Inc. or its affiliates.

September 23, 2013 - Attorney General's Community Forum

On Monday, Sept. 23 the Attorney Generael of Michigan held a community forum regarding the proposed joint venture between Portage Health and LifePoint Hospitals. Nearly a dozen people from our community spoke at the forum, which was covered by several Upper Peninsula news outlets. Links to the news stories can be found below.

The Attorney General's office is still doing their due diligence on the offer to make sure it is a fair deal for all parties involved. All of their work on the project is public at michigan.gov/portage. Check out that website for all relevant documents on the potential joint venture.

August 6, 2013 - Press Release

Portage Health signs definitive agreement with LifePoint Hospitals

Proposed joint venture will bring Western Upper Peninsula hospital $60 million in capital investments and $40 million to fund a new community foundation

Hancock, Michigan (August 6, 2013) – The Portage Health Board of Directors has signed a definitive agreement to form a joint venture with LifePoint Hospitals®. The agreement, which includes $60 million in capital investments over the next 10 years by the new joint venture, would allow Portage Health to expand and enhance its services to better meet the healthcare needs of its communities.

“We are delighted to take the next step in our potential joint venture with LifePoint,” said Steve Zutter, chairman of the Portage Health board. “As we have explored this partnership, our board has become even more excited about the benefits that becoming part of LifePoint will bring our communities. This joint venture offers Portage Health opportunities not only to expand and enhance the care we provide, but transform healthcare provided throughout the region.”

Under the terms of the definitive agreement, Portage Health and LifePoint would jointly own and operate Portage Health and its affiliated assets. LifePoint would own 80 percent of the joint venture, while Portage Health would have a 20 percent ownership stake. In addition to the $60 million in capital investments by the joint venture, approximately $40 million would be used to create a locally governed charitable foundation to fund organizations that support crucial community needs.

“LifePoint is very pleased to have reached this important milestone in our proposed partnership with Portage Health,” said LifePoint Hospital’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer William F. Carpenter III. “We have enjoyed working with the Portage Health team and learning more about the hospital and the important role it plays in the U.P. We are excited at the prospect of becoming part of this community and working with Portage Health to find ways to make the Western Upper Peninsula healthier.”

As part of the agreement, governance of Portage Health would be equally shared between Portage Health and LifePoint to ensure that the community has an active and ongoing voice in the strategic direction of the hospital. An eight-member governing board with equal representation from Portage Health and LifePoint would be established.

“This joint venture has exciting potential for Portage Health, our physicians, employees and patients,” said Jim Bogan, Portage Health President and CEO. “LifePoint has a strong track record of partnering with hospitals across the nation to improve healthcare in their communities. Through this joint venture, we have great opportunities not only to make Portage Health an even better place to work and receive quality care, but to strengthen and shape the future of healthcare in the Western Upper Peninsula.”

The definitive agreement is subject to review by the Attorney General of Michigan before being finalized. Additional information will be placed online at portagehealth.org/lifepoint as it becomes available.

About Portage Health

Portage Health’s mission is to improve the health of the community by providing high quality, safe and compassionate healthcare. Portage Health owns and operates a 36-bed acute-care hospital and a 60-bed skilled nursing unit and related healthcare services in Hancock-Houghton, Michigan, along with nine other locations throughout the Keweenaw Peninsula, each offering a variety of services provided by a full spectrum of healthcare professionals. More information about Portage Health can be found at portagehealth.org.

About LifePoint Hospitals

LifePoint Hospitals® is a leading hospital company focused on providing quality healthcare services close to home. Through its subsidiaries, LifePoint operates 57 hospital campuses in 20 states. With a mission of “Making Communities Healthier®,” LifePoint is the sole community hospital provider in the majority of the communities it serves. More information about the Company, which is headquartered in Brentwood, Tennessee, can be found on its website, www.LifePointHospitals.com. All references to “LifePoint,” "LifePoint Hospitals," or the “Company” used in this release refer to LifePoint Hospitals, Inc. or its affiliates.

May 6, 2013 - Frequently Asked Questions

Below are frequently asked questions Portage Health employees and community members have asked. We will update this as time goes on. If you have something you’d like to ask, please e-mail webmaster@portagehealth.org, and we’ll do our best to answer you. If it’s a question we’ve seen before, we might even add it to this page.

Is Portage Health being bought out by LifePoint Hospitals?

No. Portage Health and LifePoint Hospitals will enter a joint venture agreement. LifePoint will obtain a majority interest and Portage Health will retain a minority interest in the hospital ownership. Portage Health and LifePoint will share governance of the hospital equally.

How is this affiliation different from the acquisition of MGH by Duke LifePoint Healthcare?

Each of LifePoint’s relationships with its partners is tailored to meet the needs and desires of the local community. Portage Health’s proposed partnership is with LifePoint Hospitals, not Duke LifePoint Healthcare. The partnership is a joint venture, based on our community’s needs and desires to retain ownership and governance. Marquette was acquired by Duke LifePoint Healthcare - LifePoint’s joint venture with Duke University Health System - because, as a tertiary hospital, MGH can greatly benefit from Duke’s clinical programs, which are geared for tertiary care providers.

How will governance of the organization work?

A governing board will be appointed by Portage Health and LifePoint. This Board will be responsible for oversight of the operation of the joint venture. Portage Health and LifePoint will share governance equally, despite LifePoint’s majority ownership interest in the joint venture. This is a great aspect of our relationship that will grant the community a significant voice in the future operations of Portage Health.

How will joining a “for-profit” corporation change how we do business?

You can rest assured that this change will be beneficial to the community. Partnering with a for-profit organization will not change our dedication to the delivery of quality healthcare to our community. In fact, commitment to quality service is one of the reasons LifePoint Hospitals was attractive to Portage Health, as LifePoint shares this core value with us.

Portage Health will become a for-profit organization, and this change in designation will make us a tax-paying organization, creating a new source of tax revenue to support the local economy.

Does the letter of intent mean everything is finalized?

No. The announcement of our letter of intent indicates that we have reached a non-binding agreement on the key aspects of a relationship between Portage Health and LifePoint. The letter of intent allows the parties to proceed with a due-diligence process and negotiation of a definitive (binding) agreement. During this phase of negotiation, detailed questions will be answered and key points will be explored until we arrive at an agreement that is mutually approved by Portage Health and LifePoint. Once the definitive agreement is final, it will be subject to review by the Attorney General of the State of Michigan.

What happens to all the services we currently offer?

LifePoint understands the importance of growing services in the community. In order for Portage Health and LifePoint to be successful in the future, we must enhance existing services and add new services that will benefit the community. In addition, as part of the agreement, changes to services offered by the hospital will be subject to approval by the joint venture board.

Will we lose our rural-health designation converting to a for-profit healthcare system?

No. The rural-health designation is defined by the population a hospital serves, not by its for-profit or not-for-profit status.

How much money is LifePoint expected to invest for majority ownership of Portage Health?

At this time, the details of the agreement have not been finalized. Once we reach definitive agreement, the terms of the agreement must be reviewed and verified by the Attorney General as part of their process. Therefore, it would be premature to disclose those details prior to Attorney General review.

The process the Board of Portage Health undertook to identify and select a strategic partner was very thorough and will result is significant funds being invested in the future of the hospital with additional funds being placed into a local, non-profit foundation for the benefit of the community.

Which Portage Health entities are included in the joint venture?

Will we have a name change or a branding change?

No. LifePoint will maintain and promote the name of the community hospital.

Will there still be a Portage Health board of directors?

Yes. Actually, there will be two boards: a joint venture governing board (described above) and a Board of Trustees, which will function as an advisory board. The Board of Trustees will oversee credentialing and quality initiatives and advise and provide recommendations to the governing board.

What’s the timeline for signing a definitive agreement?

We expect the due diligence process to take 60-90 days, after which a definitive agreement will be finalized.

Will Portage Health employee wages be cut?

All wages will remain at their current rate for those people employed at the time of the closing.

How will this partnership affect our bargaining units?

Although the Letter of Intent is subject to due diligence review over the next several months, the Joint Venture partners have expressed an intention to adopt the terms of the current collective bargaining agreements. The Joint Venture is committed to maintaining a mutually beneficial working relationship with Michigan Nurses Association and American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.

Will Portage Health or LifePoint employ us?

At the closing date, Portage Health will cease to be a legal entity. Employees will technically be employed by a LifePoint affiliated entity. However, we will still be known as Portage Health.

Who can I contact for more information?

If you have questions, please contact Jim Bogan, President/CEO at 906.483.1501 or Kevin Store, Marketing and Communications Director at 906.483.1097.

You can also e-mail webmaster@portagehealth.org with any questions.

March 14, 2013 - Community Forum PowerPoint

On March 14, 2013 at 6:30 p.m., Portage Health hosted a community forum at the Hancock High School Auditorium. The forum was an opportunity for community members to ask questions and voice any feedback. This short slideshow was presented to help illustrate some of the key points of the proposed joint venture partnership.

March 8, 2013 - Press Release

Portage Health will be hosting a community forum on Thursday night at 6:30 at the Hancock High School auditorium.

The forum is a chance for community members to learn more about the potential Portage Health and LifePoint Hospitals joint venture that was announced on Feb. 28.

Portage Health CEO and President Jim Bogan will open the forum with a brief overview of the proposed partnership. Following Bogan’s comments there will be a question-and-answer session for community members to voice their comments and concerns.

March 6, 2013 - Portage Health & LifePoint host a social for community leaders

On March 6, 2013, Portage Health and LifePoint Hospitals hosted a social event for community leaders. This was an opportunity to talk about the proposed joint venture partnership, have honest discussions and speak to any questions and concerns.

General Information

LifePoint Hospitals aims to create an integrated, regional network and healthcare delivery system focused on delivering quality healthcare and improving the well-being of citizens throughout the Upper Peninsula. The proposed joint venture with LifePoint Hospitals can provide Portage Health with financial, operational and clinical resources that will allow us to continue offering top-quality care to our communities and invest further in the growth and enhancement of our hospital.

As partners with LifePoint, Portage Health would share ownership and governance of our healthcare organization while benefiting from financial resources, clinical and quality programs, and management expertise of one of the leading companies in the hospital industry.

LifePoint was chosen as a partner for Portage Health because it is aligned philosophically with us on several key issues:

A dedication to quality care and service for our patients;

A dedication to collaborative relationships with medical staff;

A commitment to preserve jobs for our employees;

An understanding of the importance of local involvement and governance; and

An established and growing commitment to support the health and wellbeing of the entire Upper Peninsula.

As a joint venture partner with LifePoint Hospitals, Portage Health would have access to the support and resources we need to navigate the changing healthcare environment; expand and enhance the services we provide; recruit and retain physicians; offer new opportunities for employees; better serve our communities; and strengthen our hospital for the future.

The proposed partnership offers many benefits not only to our hospital, but to our communities. The new joint venture would become a local taxpayer, providing an important source of new tax revenue to support our local economy. It also would establish a locally-governed charitable foundation that will provide new funding for organizations that support crucial needs in our communities.

In the potential joint venture with LifePoint, Portage Health would share ownership and governance of our hospital, with LifePoint obtaining a majority interest. Governance of Portage Health would be shared 50/50 between Portage Health and LifePoint, giving the community an equal and long-term voice in the strategic direction of Portage Health.

The Portage Health Partnership Process

The Portage Health Board of Directors has been considering a potential partnership or affiliation for the past two years.

Following an extensive search process, we found LifePoint Hospitals to be the ideal partner to allow us to continue our growth as a community hospital.

A joint venture with LifePoint will allow us to further strengthen our operations and have additional support and resources needed to succeed in the changing healthcare landscape.

LifePoint Hospitals

LifePoint is a leading hospital provider that specializes in operating community hospitals in non-urban areas, like ours. LifePoint has 57 hospitals in 20 states – many just like Portage Health. Most of LifePoint’s facilities are the sole community hospital provider in the region they serve, and the company has a proven track record of fostering the success of these hospitals, its affiliated providers, their employees and communities.

LifePoint has already committed to improving healthcare in the Upper Peninsula. In September 2012, Duke LifePoint Healthcare, the innovative joint venture partnership between LifePoint and Duke University Health System, acquired Marquette General Health System in Marquette.

LifePoint has a growing presence in our region. The company is actively collaborating with Superior Health Partners and others to keep U.P. healthcare local. It also is partnering with healthcare providers throughout the U.P. to enhance quality care, improve care coordination, reduce healthcare costs, and recruit new physicians so patients can continue receiving top-notch, state-of-the-art care close to home.

Letter of Intent and Due Diligence Process

With Board approval, we have signed a letter of intent, which authorizes us to move forward with the necessary steps to pursue the proposed partnership with LifePoint.

Over the next few months, we will undertake a due diligence process to ensure that this partnership is a good fit for Portage Health and our communities. We will then negotiate the terms of a definitive agreement.

As part of this process, you all will have the opportunity to meet representatives from LifePoint and learn about the organization and how it might work with Portage Health.

We are committed to open communication and full dialogue with employees, physicians and members of the community during all stages of this process. We understand that you have questions, and we will do our best to answer them as we know more in coming weeks.

Completion of our agreement with LifePoint will require review by the Attorney General of Michigan.

Impact on the Community

The community will benefit in many ways from the partnership between Portage Health and LifePoint.

Portage Health will have access to additional resources to invest in new technology and enhance our services to better serve the healthcare needs of our communities.

LifePoint understands that the community has a vested interest in Portage Health. Because Portage Health will share ownership and governance of the hospital with LifePoint, we can ensure that the community will have an equal and continuing voice in the operation of our hospital.

The new joint venture would become a local taxpayer, providing an important source of new tax revenue to support our local economy.

The initial proceeds from the transaction would be used to create a locally-governed charitable foundation that would support crucial community needs. This foundation would be led by a local board comprised of community representatives.

February 28, 2013 - Press Release

Portage Health signs letter of intent to form joint venture with LifePoint Hospitals

Potential partnership will help strengthen healthcare delivery in the Western Upper Peninsula

Hancock, Michigan (February 28, 2013) – The Portage Health Board of Directors today announced it has signed a letter of intent to form a joint venture with LifePoint Hospitals®. The proposed partnership will provide Portage Health with additional resources to expand the healthcare services provided in its communities and invest further in the growth of the hospital.

The letter of intent is a non-binding agreement that authorizes Portage Health and LifePoint to move forward with pursuing the proposed joint venture. Following due diligence and a negotiation process, which is projected to take 60 to 90 days, the parties would enter into a definitive agreement. The agreement would then be subject to review by of the Attorney General of Michigan before being finalized.

“We selected LifePoint as a partner because of its commitment to physicians, employees, and community,” said Steve Zutter, chairman of the Portage Health board. “As part of this joint venture, Portage Health would share ownership and governance of our system while benefiting from financial resources, clinical and quality programs, and management expertise of one of the leading hospital companies in the nation. Together with LifePoint, we have a great opportunity to enhance the outstanding, innovative care provided throughout the Western Upper Peninsula.”

Under the terms of the proposed partnership, Portage Health and LifePoint would share ownership and governance of the hospital. Portage Health and LifePoint would share ownership of the hospital, with LifePoint obtaining the majority ownership interest. Governance would be equally shared between Portage Health and LifePoint, giving the community a long-term voice in the strategic direction of the hospital. The retained assets of Portage Health and the proceeds from the transaction would be used to create a locally-governed charitable foundation that would fund organizations that support crucial community needs.

“Portage Health is known for its quality service, commitment to patients and dedication to its communities. We are delighted at the prospect of partnering with Portage,” said LifePoint Chairman and Chief Executive Officer William F. Carpenter III. “We look forward to working with the Portage board, management, employees and medical staff to explore new ways to expand and enhance healthcare services in the Western U.P. and strengthen the healthcare delivery system throughout the region.”

“LifePoint has shown a tremendous commitment to strengthening healthcare delivery in the U.P. and partnering with providers to enhance the services we provide and ensure patients have access to the care they need and deserve locally,” said Jim Bogan, Portage Health President and CEO. “We are eager to explore this joint venture further and more closely examine the benefits it can offer our hospital and the future of healthcare in our communities.”

About Portage Health

Portage Health’s mission is to improve the health of the community by providing high quality, safe and compassionate healthcare. Portage Health owns and operates a 36-bed acute-care hospital and a 60-bed skilled nursing unit and related health care services in Hancock-Houghton, Michigan, along with nine other locations throughout the Copper Country, each offering a variety of services provided by a full spectrum of healthcare professionals. More information about Portage Health can be found at www.portagehealth.org.

February 27, 2013 - Letter to Community Leaders

Dear Community Leaders,

I am delighted to share the news that the Board of Directors of Portage Health has signed a letter of intent to form a joint venture with LifePoint Hospitals. More information about this proposed partnership is in the attached press release.

This is an exciting development for us and our community. As a joint venture partner with LifePoint, Portage Health will have access to additional resources to expand and enhance the services we provide, recruit and retain physicians, offer new opportunities for employees, better serve our communities, and strengthen our hospital for the future.

As part of our strategic initiatives, the Portage Health Board of Directors has been considering a potential partnership for the past two years. Following an extensive search process, LifePoint was selected as the ideal partner to help us to continue our growth as a regional health system. We believe LifePoint is aligned with us on several important issues including:

A dedication to quality care and service for our patients;

A dedication to collaborative relationships with medical staff;

A commitment to our employees;

An understanding of the importance of local involvement and governance; and

A commitment to support the health and wellbeing of the entire Upper Peninsula.

LifePoint is a leading hospital provider that specializes in operating community hospitals in non-urban areas, like ours. It has 57 hospitals in 20 states and already has a presence here in the Upper Peninsula. In September 2012, Duke LifePoint Healthcare, the innovative joint venture between LifePoint and Duke University Health System, acquired Marquette General Health System.

LifePoint’s goal in partnering with hospitals in our region is to enhance quality care, improve care coordination and reduce healthcare costs in the U.P. It is actively collaborating with Superior Health Partners and others to keep U.P. healthcare local so patients can continue receiving top-notch, state of the art care close to home.

Our community will benefit in many ways from a partnership between Portage Health and LifePoint. The joint venture would become a local taxpayer, providing an important source of new tax revenue to support our economy. Also, proceeds from the transaction would be used to create a locally-governed charitable foundation to support crucial community needs.

Over the next few months, we will undertake a due diligence process with LifePoint to ensure that this partnership is a good fit for Portage Health and our communities. We will then negotiate the terms of a definitive agreement.

Our board and management team join me in thanking you for your continued support of Portage Health and the exciting opportunities that lie ahead.

Sincerely,

Jim Bogan Portage Health President and CEO

January 4, 2013 - Annual Update 2013

On January 4, 2013, Portage Health executives gave an update to community leaders at the Michigan Tech MUB. The presentation was recorded and you can view it here. Below you can watch the presentation or download it to your computer to watch later.

The Portage Health Emergency Department has once again been verified by the American College of Surgeons (ACS) as a Level 3 Trauma Center. Portage Health is one of only two trauma centers in Michigan to receive the verification, and is the only one in the Upper Peninsula.

Portage Health was named one of the “2011 Top Performers on Key Quality Measures” by The Joint Commission, the leading accreditor of health care organizations in America. This recognition places Portage Health in the top 18 percent of hospitals nationwide. The Hancock-based hospital is one of only three hospitals in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula to receive the honor and one of 13 statewide. Of those hospitals, Portage Health was one of nine in the state and the only in the U.P. to be recognized in multiple categories.

Portage Health’s commitment to excellence was recognized with an “A” in the latest Hospital Safety Score grading by The Leapfrog Group. “Receiving the highest grade possible from a credible and neutral source is tremendously rewarding for us,” said Jim Bogan, president/CEO of Portage Health. “Our staff is committed to providing the best possible experience for our patients, and ratings like this validate our efforts.” The “A” ranking was awarded to 37 Michigan hospitals, including two others in the Upper Peninsula.

Portage Health’s commitment to service excellence was rewarded in the most recent data from the HCAHPS survey, with the highest ratings in the Upper Peninsula.The HCAHPS (Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems) Survey is the first national, standardized, publicly reported survey of patients’ perspectives of hospital care. The survey collects answers to 10 questions from patients, and compares hospitals nationwide. Portage Health averaged 79.2 percent with best possible answers, which is considerably higher than U.P (70.5 percent) state (71.1 percent) and national (70.7 percent) averages.

The Portage Health Dialysis Center is one of two dialysis centers in the U.P. to be recognized as a 5-Diamond Patient Safety Program by the Renal Network of the Upper Midwest, Inc.“This is a huge accomplishment that every person in our department can be proud of,” said Karen Kelley, director of the center. “It took hard work by every person on our staff to achieve this, and now we’ve got to work hard to keep it up.”

The OB/GYN clinic received great news earlier this summer as the staff was recognized by Press Ganey for a six-point increase in overall satisfaction scores.The department has been infused with new staff highlighted by Dr. Rebecca Baudoin and Dr. Charles Rollison during the past year.

The effort of Portage Health over the past two years was rewarded this
week as Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan designated three Portage
Health clinics as patient-centered medical home (PCMH) clinics.